Germany, Brazil, Spain are Messi's World Cup favourites

“Germany, Brazil, Spain, France and us also,” said the Barcelona forward during an interview with Buenos Aires' radio station La Metro in Spain, when he was asked about his favourite teams to win the 2014 Brazil World Cup, Xinhua reported.

Lionel Messi

Messi, winner of the Golden Shoe for being the highest scorer in European football, said he is confident of recovering from the muscle injury and will “come back in good shape” in January. He will travel to Argentina for the last part of his rehabilitation.

Messi was injured on November 10 in a match between Barcelona and Betis, during which he tore his right-leg femoral biceps and had to leave the tournament for a six to eight-week rest.

This week Messi received his third Golden Shoe. He said he wants to win the 2014 World Cup “more than anybody.”

Messi also told La Metro that he was in pain for being criticised by some fans in Argentina, who questioned his performance in the national soccer team, saying that “they did not love me.”